Restaurant
Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
Fed Square, 25/2 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
Fed Square, 25/2 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
Big Esso brings Indigenous Australian ingredients front and center through modern, punchy shared plates. Fed Square tables fill up for skewers, tender emu steak, and seasonal damper matched with native fruit. Diners note the front-of-house team happily guides you through unfamiliar botanicals and seasonings before plates hit the table. Sweet oysters dressed in peppery berry sauce give way to eucalyptus smoked duck and fried whole fish. The bar shakes up drinks like the purple gelam, while the front counter lets you grab tins of native tea and wattleseed chocolate on your way out.
- Native Bush Botanicals: Plates showcase native botanicals and meats, from pepper berry oysters and eucalyptus smoked duck to emu skewers.
- Table-Side Ingredient Education: Floor staff actively guide guests through unfamiliar Indigenous seasonings and the best ways to enjoy each dish.
- Packaged Native Treats: Shelves stock specialty packaged loose-leaf teas and wattleseed chocolate to bring home.
What's On at Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
Why diners choose Big Esso for modern native Australian dining, educational hospitality, and special gatherings
Novel Australian Native Ingredients
Dishes showcase indigenous ingredients such as emu steak, crocodile skewers, and pepper berry sauce prepared with modern culinary craft.
It was so lovely trying a bunch of dishes we had never had before and they all tasted pretty amazing.
Kyle Van Rensburg Modern Interpretation of Bush Foods
The kitchen delivers an approachable pathway into native and bush foods through balanced, contemporary cooking.
it's the perfect way to introduce locally available (bush) foods in a modern way.
Bas W Guided Culinary & Seasoning Education
Front-of-house staff guide guests through the distinct flavor profiles and explain the best ways to enjoy unfamiliar native courses.
The staff were so friendly and helpful, even teaching us how the seasonings worked / how to eat the entrees!
Juverine Native Retail Pantry to Take Home
Guests can purchase packaged items like native specialty teas and wattleseed chocolate to bring the culinary discovery home.
Bought back two tins of tea and wattleseed chocolate as well because I couldn’t get enough
Juverine Memorable Shared Occasions
Distinctive native menus provide a meaningful culinary backdrop for special dates, gatherings, and milestone dinners.
for a special occasion, it's worth it. Ingredients seemed very fresh and I feel lucky I got to experience this.
Flora F A Distinctive Group Dining Discovery
The novel menu encourages conversation and shared discovery among dining companions exploring unfamiliar ingredients.
Will definitely look to bring friends back here possibly for a lunch.
Kyle Van Rensburg
Most popular items
Distinctive native Australian proteins and signature mains
Emu steak
Highlight for me was the curried kingfish and the emu steak. It was cooked perfectly, well seasoned and very tender and medium rare.
Louise Chui Crocodile skewers
My partner and I ordered the 3 course meat menu as we wanted to try the emu steak and crocodile skewers. Those were definitely the highlights!
Kyle Van Rensburg Curried kingfish
Highlight for me was the curried kingfish and the emu steak.
Louise Chui Eucalyptus smoked duck
my recommendations are definitely the emu heart skewer, eucalyptus smoked duck and fried fish
Juverine
Other favorites
Sides, desserts, drinks, and retail items featuring Australian botanicals
Damper
our server said they try our new additions to their damper every season and we got a lovely rainforest fruit one
Kyle Van Rensburg Artichoke ice cream with golden dumplings
I had the artichoke ice cream with golden dumplings - yum!
Juverine Purple gelam cocktail
the purple gelam cocktail is a must-try along with their chai
Juverine Wattleseed chocolate
Bought back two tins of tea and wattleseed chocolate as well because I couldn’t get enough
Juverine
Beyond the menu
Distinctive details that enhance your exploration of native Australian dining
Tableside Seasoning & Dish Guidance
Staff take the time to guide diners through novel native ingredients, explaining how seasonings work and advising on how to best enjoy unfamiliar entrees.
Seasonal Native Damper Creations
Entrees feature seasonal updates to traditional damper, such as house-crafted rainforest fruit bread served fresh.
Take-Home Native Teas & Wattleseed Treats
Guests can take home tins of specialty native tea blends and packaged wattleseed chocolate directly from the venue to extend the culinary journey.
Indigenous Botanical Drinks & Signature Cocktails
The bar program showcases Australian botanicals and native ingredients across bespoke creations like the signature purple gelam cocktail and house-blended chai.
Before you head over
Practical guidance for group bookings, portion planning, and dining pace at Big Esso.
Allow extra turnaround time for large groups
Large parties should note there is limited seating for big groups, and reservations may experience slight turnaround delays while previous diners finish.
Budget for shared tasting portions
Dishes are designed around distinct indigenous ingredients and may be on the pricier side to feel completely full, making it best suited for curated shared tasting or celebratory occasions.
Set your dining pace with staff
Staff are eager to clear plates and turnover tables quickly; communicate proactively if you want to pace your meal and hold onto unfinished courses longer.
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